Predicting An Organism’s Ability to Adapt Name: Date: 1. Which bird foot is best for swimming? A. B. C. D. 2. Western coral snakes have a striped color pattern and are poisonous. Arizona mountain kingsnakes look like western coral snakes but are not poisonous. The color pattern of the Arizona mountain kingsnake is an example of A. camouage. B. mimicry. C. mutualism. D. parasitism. 3. Ducks live near ponds and lakes. The shape of a duck’s foot helps it swim and walk on muddy ground. Which factor is most important in determining the shape of a baby duck’s foot? A. the shape of the parent ducks’ feet B. the temperature of the pond water C. the amount of mud in the bottom of the pond D. the amount of rain that fell before the duck was born 4. Which of the following is a source of genetic variation within a species? A. cloning B. mutation C. selective breeding D. natural selection page 1
Transcript
Predicting An Organism’s Ability to Adapt
Name: Date:
1. Which bird foot is best for swimming?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2. Western coral snakes have a striped color patternand are poisonous. Arizona mountain kingsnakeslook like western coral snakes but are notpoisonous.
The color pattern of the Arizona mountainkingsnake is an example of
A. camouflage. B. mimicry.
C. mutualism. D. parasitism.
3. Ducks live near ponds and lakes. The shape ofa duck’s foot helps it swim and walk on muddyground. Which factor is most important indetermining the shape of a baby duck’s foot?
A. the shape of the parent ducks’ feet
B. the temperature of the pond water
C. the amount of mud in the bottom of the pond
D. the amount of rain that fell before the duckwas born
4. Which of the following is a source of geneticvariation within a species?
A. cloning B. mutation
C. selective breeding D. natural selection
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5. The diet of white-tailed deer consists primarilyof shrubs. Sika are another species of deer thateat both grasses and shrubs. After an extendeddrought period, why might the sika population befavored over the white-tailed deer population?
A. Sika require less food than do the white-taileddeer.
B. Sika require more water than do thewhite-tailed deer.
C. Sika have more food sources than do thewhite-tailed deer.
D. Sika have fewer food sources than do thewhite-tailed deer.
6. Water is necessary for life. During Connecticutwinters, the ground freezes, making it difficult fortrees to absorb water. How are Connecticut treesadapted to survive cold winters?
A. They use sap as a water source.
B. They reverse the photosynthetic process.
C. They drop their leaves and become dormant
D. The use the water produced during cellularrespiration.
7. The caterpillar has two large spots that look likelarge eyes as shown.
How do these large false eyes help the caterpillarsurvive?
A. They allow the caterpillar to see farther thanother insects.
B. They allow the caterpillar to scare awaypredators.
C. They allow the caterpillar to move around atnight.
D. They allow the caterpillar to find more food.
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8. The ptarmigan is a seed-eating Arctic bird thatchanges the color of its feathers with the changein seasons. In the summer it is a brownish color,and in the winter it is white.
Which of the following provides the bestexplanation for this change?
A. The color change helps it find food moreeasily.
B. The color change helps protect it frompredators.
C. The color change helps it regulate its bodytemperature better,
D. Brown feathers are better than white ones forflying during mating season.
9. The Venus flytrap plant lives in soil with fewnutrients. The plant absorbs nutrients by trappinginsects inside its leaves.
The ability of the Venus flytrap to trap insects isan example of which of the following?
A. Adaptation B. Parasitism
C. Cooperation D. Competition
10. Whales are mammals that live in the ocean. Theyhave nostrils, called blow holes, positioned at thetops of their heads as shown. Fossil data indicatethat whales evolved from a land mammal that hadnostrils at the end of its snout. The fossils clearlyshow that over time, nostrils moved from the snoutto the top of the head, as seen in modern whales.
Which statement explains why blow holes mostlikely provide an advantage for modern whales?
A. They allow them to take in air less often.
B. They allow them to inhale larger volumes ofair.
C. They allow them to use less energy whilebreathing.
D. They allow them to breathe oxygen dissolvedin the water.
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11. The Canyon spotted whiptail and the Sonoranspotted whiptail are lizard species that live inthe same desert. The Canyon spotted whiptail iscomposed of males and females that reproducesexually. The Sonoran spotted whiptail is anall-female species that reproduces asexually.
Canyon Spotted Whiptail Sonoran Spotted Whiptail
Which lizard species is more likely to survive adrastic sudden change in climate?
A. Sonoran spotted whiptail because all membersof the species can reproduce
B. The Sonoran spotted whiptail because theirgenetic similarities will keep the species stable
C. The Canyon spotted whiptail because theirgenetic differences improve their chances ofadapting
D. The Canyon spotted whiptail because specieswith male and female members produce moreoffspring
12. C. reinhardtii is a species of unicellular greenalgae that primarily produce energy for growththrough photosynthesis. However, when necessary,they can also produce energy from a carbon source,which allows them to grow in total darkness. Ascientist grows a population of this algae in thedark and finds that after 600 generations, the algaepopulation now grows better in the dark than inthe light.
Which statement best explains what has happenedto the cells in the algae population?
A. The cells that were better adapted to growingin the dark reproduced more.
B. The cells that were better adapted to growingin the light got smaller in size.
C. They became contaminated with a species ofalgae that grow only in the dark.
D. They evolved into a different species that cangrow only in the dark.
13. The coat of a horse in the summer is relativelysmooth with short hairs. The coat of a horse inthe winter is coarse with long hairs. What mostlikely causes this difference?
A. seasonal changes in the horse’s exercise
B. adjustment to seasonal change
C. seasonal changes in the horse’s diet
D. reduction in grooming due to winter weather
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14. Students studying a moth population in the woodsin Kentucky found the distribution of moth wingcolor shown in the graph below. The woodscontained trees with bark that was mostly black.
Two years later a fungus attacked nearly all ofthe trees in the woods and the tree bark changedfrom black to patches of gray and white. Whichgraph shows the probable distribution of mothwing color within the next few years?
A.
B.
C.
D.
15. Over a long period of time, some flowering plantshave become dependent on honeybees to fertilizetheir seeds. In recent years, a form of mite hasinfected and killed the honeybees in many areasof the country. Since this has happened, the oncebee-dependent plants with the best chance ofsurviving are those that
A. grow taller so that the few remaininghoneybees will find them.
B. change their flowers so that wind will fertilizethem.
C. have always attracted many other insects aswell as honeybees.
D. have seeds that stay alive for a long time inthe environment.
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16. Use the picture below to answer the followingquestion.
The cactus plant shown above lives in a desertenvironment.
Which characteristic of this plant could be foundin many other desert plants?
A. a deep root system for gathering water
B. lush growth that serves to trap water if itrains
C. broad leaves that protect the plants from thehot sun
D. leaves and stems that are adapted to conservewater
17. Use the information below to answer the questionthat follows.
Planarian worms swim away fromsources of light. One explanationfor this behavior is that in the darktheir planarian bodies are hiddenfrom predators.
Which statement is another scientifically reasonableexplanation for the evolution of this behavior?
A. Light causes planarians’ body temperature todecrease.
B. More carbon dioxide for the planarians isfound in dark water.
C. The planarians’ food generally is found indark regions.
D. Light pushes on the planarians and turns themaround.
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18. Which foot would most likely help a bird live inwater?
A.
B.
C.
D.
19. Which example describes a behavioral adaptation?
A. A bird builds its nest in the ash near avolcano.
B. A whale has the ability to hold its breath for20 minutes.
C. A fox’s hair is white in the winter and brownin the summer.
D. A monkey has long arms that allow it toswing from one branch to another.
20. Use the picture below to answer the question.
The cactus plant shown above lives in a desertenvironment.
Which characteristic of this plant could be foundin many other desert plants?
A. a deep root system for gathering water
B. lush growth that serves to trap water if itrains
C. broad leaves that protect the plants from thehot sun
D. leaves and stems that are adapted to conservewater
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21. Over a long period, some flowering plants havebecome dependent on honeybees for pollination.In recent years, a form of mite has infected andkilled the honeybees in many areas of the country.Since this has happened, the once bee-dependentplants with the best chance of surviving are thosethat
A. grow taller so that the few remaininghoneybees will find them.
B. change their flowers so that wind will fertilizethem.
C. have always attracted many other insects aswells as honeybees.
D. have seeds that stay alive for a long time inthe environment.
22. A lizard species mostly eats fruit from oneparticular type of tree. If a virus kills most ofthese trees, which individual lizards will mostlikely survive?
A. lizards that can climb higher in the fruit trees
B. lizards that have darker coloration
C. lizards that can find other types of food
D. lizards that produce more offspring
23. Which bird’s foot below is best for grasping prey?
A. B.
C. D.
24. Few flowers are able to grow on the northernarctic tundra. Those that do grow there have veryshort stems. How is this an adaptation to helpthem survive in the arctic climate?
A. It protects them from freezing.
B. It prevents them from being eaten byconsumers.
C. It protects them from breaking in strongwinds.
D. It makes it very hard for them to be pulledfrom the ground.
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25. Female seals usually return to the same beachesyear after year to give birth. If they are repeatedlydisturbed by humans at those beaches, how willthe seals most likely respond?
A. They will change color.
B. They will give birth to more pups.
C. They will hunt for food more often.
D. They will give birth at different beaches.
26. Tomato plants grow in warm weather. If thetemperature drops below 32◦F for two days in arow, what will most likely happen to the tomatoplants?
A. They will die.
B. They will migrate.
C. They will hibernate.
D. They will grow faster.
27. The picture below shows a flower with a longslender bloom.
The size and shape of a bird’s beak are relatedto the type of food that the bird eats. Which ofthe following beaks is suitable for drinking nectarlocated deep within flowers such as the one shownabove?
A.
B.
C.
D.
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28. The picture below shows a bird.
From the shape of its beak and the length of itslegs, this bird is best adapted for feeding on whichof the following?
A. insects that feed on plants
B. small fish in shallow water
C. nuts from riverside trees and plants
D. birds in ground nests
29. Some types of trees are able to survive the heat ofa forest fire. Which of the following characteristicswould best help a tree survive a fire?
A. large leaves B. shallow roots
C. thick bark D. thin trunks
30. The picture below shows the foot of a certainspecies of bird.
In which of the following environments is thisspecies best adapted for survival?
A. desert B. freshwater lake
C. meadow D. tropical rain forest
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31. The pictures below show the change in the fur ofan arctic hare from summer to winter.
Which of the following statements best describeshow this change helps arctic hares?
A. It lowers their body temperature.
B. It protects their eyes from sunlight.
C. It helps them move on slippery ice.
D. It makes them less visible to predators.
32. A tuna is an ocean fish that is well adapted tocatching small, fast-moving prey. Which of thefollowing adaptations most helps a tuna swim fastto catch its prey?
A. large fins B. sharp teeth
C. small gills D. tough scales
33. A morning glory is a type of flowering vine thatclimbs trees and fences. Which of the followingbehaviors most helps a morning glory plant climba fence?
A. stems curling in response to touch
B. stems swelling in response to water
C. flowers opening in response to light
D. roots growing in response to gravity
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34. Emperor penguins are specialized birds that eatfish. Emperor penguins have developed manyspecial characteristics that help them survive in theocean environment. The picture below shows twoemperor penguins swimming in the ocean.
Which of the following characteristics mosthelps the emperor penguins survive in an oceanenvironment?
A. having very little sense of smell
B. having a very weak sense of taste
C. having large feathers that absorb water
D. having small wings that move like flippers
35. One of the most common types of adaptations inplants involves the shape and structure of eachplant’s leaves. The surface area of leaves is relatedto the amount of water a plant loses.
Based on this information, which of the followingplants is probably best adapted for living in a hot,dry climate?
A.
B.
C.
D.
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36. The illustration below shows several wild caninespecies that descended from a common canineancestor.
As a result of natural selection, canine biodiversityincreased as all of these species developed from acommon ancestor. Which of the following factorscontributed most to the evolution of these diversecanine species?
A. differences in environment
B. selective breeding programs
C. inheritance of learned behaviors
D. interbreeding with unrelated species
37. The illustration below shows two snakes of thesame species that have different striping.
California king snakes may exhibit differentpatterns of stripes. According to evolution bynatural selection, which of the following is themost likely result if a snake-eating predator canmore easily detect the snakes with the crosswisestripes?
A. The percentages of snakes born of each typewill not change.
B. Snakes with lengthwise stripes will becomemore common.
C. Snakes with crosswise stripes will learn tomove faster.
D. A new type of king snake with no stripes willemerge.
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38. Odontomachus bauri is a species of ant that hasa trap jaw that shuts rapidly. This jaw systemevolved from basic mouth parts that all ants have,but the jaw is longer, the joint is a different shape,and the muscles are larger.
Which of the following statements best explainswhy this trap-jaw trait evolved?
A. The trap jaw increases the ants’ body mass.
B. The trap jaw allows the ants to eat only onekind of food.
C. The trap jaw is the ants’ only means ofspecies recognition.
D. The trap jaw increases the ants’ chances ofsurvival and reproduction.
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The following section focuses on different lemur species of Madagascar.
Madagascar is an island located off the east coast of Africa, as shown on the map below.
Madagascar has a unique animal community. Lemurs are one of the animal groups that have diversified extensively onMadagascar. Lemurs are primates, which is an order of mammals that also includes monkeys and apes. Lemur speciesvary widely in habitat, diet, size, and color. Lemurs only live on the island of Madagascar. However, fossil evidenceshows that lemur ancestors existed on Africa’s mainland. Scientists hypothesize that lemur ancestors reached Madagascarby floating across the Mozambique Channel on matted clumps of vegetation.
Four different lemur species are shown in figures 1–4 below.
Copyright c_ Gerry Ellis/Minden Pictures Copyright c_ Frans Lanting/Minden Pictures
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39. There are at least 88 species of lemurs inexistence today. Which of the following conditionsmost likely existed and made it possible forMadagascar’s original lemur ancestors to evolveinto many species on the island?
A. presence of a deadly virus that infected onlylemurs
B. complete isolation from other small mammalspecies
C. new niches to adapt to in the absence of alarge number of competitors
D. climatic conditions that were very differentfrom those on mainland Africa
40. Which of the following is a reason loggerheadturtles bury their eggs in holes that they dig onthe beach?
A. to keep the eggs covered with water
B. to provide the eggs with nutrients
C. to hide the eggs from predators
D. to protect the eggs from sand
41. In some locations, squirrels sleep for long periodsof time during the winter months. Which of thefollowing most likely causes these squirrels tosleep for long periods of time?
A. increase in humidity
B. decrease in temperature
C. clouds forming in the sky
D. winds blowing in the night
42. Some lizards have an adaptation that allows theirtails to break off with minimal damage to bones,nerves, blood vessels, and muscles. This type oflizard can then regrow the missing portion of thetail.
Which of the following statements best explainswhy this adaptation is selected for in lizardpopulations?
A. Lizards with this adaptation are better atclimbing trees.
B. Lizards with this adaptation are more likelyto escape from predators.
C. Lizards with this adaptation can use their tailsas lures to attract more food.
D. Lizards with this adaptation can camouflagethemselves more easily in vegetation.
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43. Use the information and pictures below to answer the following question(s).
Wild ponies have lived on Assateague Island for about 300 years. The ponies have become well adapted tothe harsh environment, including extreme temperatures in summer and winter. The ponies mainly eat saltymarsh grasses and grow thick fur in winter. Domestic horses are larger than the ponies. An Assateague ponydrinks twice as much fresh water as a domestic horse does. Other organisms on the island include rodents,birds, small foxes, marsh grasses, mussels, and deer.
Assateague Pony
Domestic Horse
Why have the ponies developed a coat of thick fur?
A. to stay warm B. to help them swim
C. to prepare them to find mates D. to protect them from predators
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44. The picture below shows four leaves, each from adifferent tree.
Which leaf is best adapted to a dry environment?
A. poplar B. pine C. maple D. oak
45. As shown in the drawing below, snowshoe hareshave thick white fur in the winter and thin grayfur in the summer. Changing fur color withthe season provides a certain advantage to theseanimals.
Snowshoe Hare in Winter Snowshoe Hare in Summer
The advantage of changing fur color is that it
A. helps hares to attract a mate
B. allows hares to build soft dens
C. helps hares to sneak up on prey
D. allows hares to blend with the environment
46. Mammals living in extremely cold climatestypically have thick fur and a layer of fat toinsulate them from the cold. Which of these termsbest describes these characteristics?
A. translations B. alterations
C. adaptations D. recombinations
47. Loggerhead turtles in the Atlantic Ocean return tolay their eggs on the same beaches where theyhatched. Scientists have observed that the turtleshave a “compass sense.” This sense allows themto use Earth’s magnetic field to find their wayback to the beaches where they were hatched.
Which of these terms best describes the turtle’sability to use Earth’s magnetic field?
A. diversity B. habitat
C. succession D. adaptation
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48. Use the information and the figure below toanswer the following question(s).
Male fiddler crabs attract females by quicklywaving their large front claw. If a claw islost in a fight or accident, they quickly growa hollow claw of equal length. Because thenew claw is lighter, they can wave it faster.A male fiddler crab is shown below.
The male fiddler crab’s new claw can be describedas
A. a clone B. a genotype
C. an adaptation D. a dominant trait
49. Use the information and the drawing below toanswer the following question(s).
The desert climate is caused by geographicconditions such as location, high atmosphericpressure, and proximity of mountain ranges.Average desert rainfall amounts are usually lessthan 50 cm per year. Soil in deserts is coarse,sandy, and rocky. Desert plants and animals havespecialized characteristics that help them survivein the harsh environment. An example is theSaguaro cactus. The Saguaro has a shallow rootsystem with a main taproot and other rootsthat radiate out and collect surface water. Thetrunk of the Saguaro has the ability to expandwhile storing water. The sweet-nectar flowersof the Saguaro attract white-winged doves, bats,and other animals. These animals feed on thenectar. They are necessary for cross-pollination.Cross-pollination occurs when the pollen of aflower is carried to a flower on another plant. Theillustration below shows the Saguaro cactus.
SAGUARO CACTUS
Which of these adaptations is most important forthe Saguaro to survive long periods of drought?
A. deep roots B. sweet nectar
C. large flowers D. expanding trunk
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50. Use the information below to answer the followingquestion(s).
Plants grow in various environments. Someplants, like mangroves, grow in salty wetlands.Mangroves have specialized structures that preventsalt from entering their cells. Other mangroveshave specialized glands that can excrete excess salt.
Glands that excrete salt in the mangroves areexamples of
A. meiosis B. osmosis
C. adaptations D. successions
51. In Maryland, most bears have thick, dark fur.
Which statement best explains how dark fur helpsbears survive in the forests of Maryland?
A. Dark fur is lightweight.
B. Dark fur scares enemies.
C. Dark fur helps bears hide.
D. Dark fur keeps bears cool.
52. The snowshoe hare sheds its fur twice a year. Inthe summer, the fur of the hare is brown. In thewinter, the fur is white.
Which of these statements best explains theadvantage of shedding fur?
A. Shedding fur keeps the hare clean.
B. Shedding fur helps the hare move quickly.
C. Shedding fur keeps the hare’s home warm.
D. Shedding fur helps the hare blend into itshabitat.
53. Some plants live in very dry conditions, such as adesert.
Plant 1 Plant 2
The plant best adapted to survive in a desertclimate is
A. Plant 2, because the spines attract insects
B. Plant 1, because the leaves provide shade forthe roots
C. Plant 1, because the leaves are far away fromthe hot soil
D. Plant 2, because the spines allow less waterto evaporate
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54. Which structure helps protect some plants frombeing eaten by animals?
A. their large leaves B. their red flowers
C. their sharp thorns D. their short stems
55. Deer eat plants. Some plants, however, haveadaptations that keep the deer from eating them.Which adaptation is likely to keep deer fromeating a particular plant?
A. no flowers B. thorny branches
C. large leaves D. short stems
56. Use the picture below to answer the fowllingquestion(s).
The plover finds its food at the edge of shallowwater. Which adaptation would help this speciesfind food in shallow water?
A. shorter wings B. longer legs
C. curved beak D. color change
57. A female bear has two male cubs. The first cubgrows into a large and aggressive adult bear. Thesecond cub grows to a smaller size and it is notas aggressive as its brother. What problem mightthe second cub have as an adult?
A. It might not be able to swim.
B. It might not be able to hear as well as thelarger bear.
C. It might spend more time with the motherbear.
D. It might have a hard time protecting itsterritory.
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58. Using the fossil foot bones of horses, scientistsfound that the feet of horses became longer andlost toes over a long period of time, as shown inthe pictures below.
Foot Bones When Horses Lived
Oldest fossils(55-45 million
years ago)]
(33-29 millionyears ago)
(17-11 millionyears ago)
Youngest fossils(5 millionyears ago)
Which conclusion most likely explains why thehorses’ feet changed?
A. to allow horses to run faster than theirpredators
B. to allow horses to swim faster than theirancestors
C. to allow horses to eat more grass
D. to allow horses to have more offspring
59. Which example shows a behavioral adaptation?
A. a bear hibernating
B. a turtle laying eggs
C. a porcupine’s quills
D. a bird’s hollow bones
60. How would looking like a poisonous dart froghelp a non-poisonous frog survive?
A. It would help the frog find shelter.
B. It would help the frog attract prey.
C. It would help the frog frighten predators.
D. It would help the frog blend with itsenvironment.
61. Which characteristic would have the greatesteffect on the ability of a species to survive anenvironmental change?
A. Size B. Color
C. Life span D. Reproduction
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62. Bears are known to hibernate in the winter.
Which statement predicts why hibernation is auseful adaptation for survival?
A. Larger animals hunt bears in the winter.
B. Food becomes scarce during the winter.
C. Migration causes a struggle for availablespace.
D. Fewer leaves make it easier for prey to seethe bears.
63. Scientists have found fossils of an animal knownas the saber-toothed tiger. The organism is relatedto tigers we see today, but the fangs of thesaber-toothed tiger are longer and bigger thanthose of today’s tigers. The following picturesshow examples of both organisms.
Saber-Toothed Tiger Tiger
If saber-toothed tigers used their fangs for hunting,what evidence do the teeth of today’s tigers suggestabout a possible change in the environment?
A. The tiger became a better hunter.
B. The tiger became less interested in hunting.
C. There is smaller prey in the tiger’senvironment.
D. There are fewer animals in the tiger’senvironment.
64. The Bactrian camel has humps made of fat that itcan use for energy when needed. The kangaroorat does not drink water; it gets all it needs fromfood that it eats.
Which statement describes how these adaptationsaffect the Bactrian camel and the kangaroo rat?
A. Allow them to survive a drought
B. Increase their ability to catch prey
C. Allow them to scare their predators
D. Make them blend into the environment
65. The climate in a mountain environment has beenchanging over a long period of time. The climateis becoming warmer and the amount of rainfall isdecreasing. The lower rainfall is also limiting theamount of plant life available as a food source. Aspecies of goat that lives in this environment hashad thinning hair over this period of time.
Which of these describes how thinning hair helpsthe species of goat survive?
A. By stopping it from overheating
B. By letting it survive on less food
C. By reducing how much water it loses
D. By allowing it to absorb more sunlight
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66. Which adaptation helps the scarlet king snakesurvive in its environment?
A. It reproduces between 4 and 20 eggs.
B. It usually grows to between 2 and 4 feet long.
C. It can live in deserts, wetlands, and grasslands.
D. It looks like the poisonous coral snake toconfuse predators.
67. Some animals are capable of making noises thatcannot be heard by humans. These noises canbe used to communicate or to help an animalnavigate. Which of the following organisms has asimilar adaptation?
A. Bats B. Birds C. Dogs D. Apes
68. Which table shows adaptations that allow organisms to survive in a marshy wetland environment?
A. B.
C. D.
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69. Dunia and Shane are studying the cold, snowytaiga biome for a science assignment. They learnthat many of the trees in the taiga forests havelong, thin needles that remain on the trees all yearlong. The following table shows Shane’s beliefsabout why needles allow trees to survive in thetaiga.
Why Needles Allow Trees to Survive Taiga Biome
1 Needles grow faster than leaves, allowing the plant toincrease its level of photosynthesis and crowd out otherplants.
2 Needles have a smaller surface area than leaves, decreasingthe loss of water during the winter when the ground isfrozen.
3 The shape of needles allows snow to fall from them easily,minimizing the buildup of a large mass of snow that wouldbreak branches.
4 Needles do not have to be replaced every spring, increasingthe amount of energy that can be used for growth andreproduction during short growing seasons.
Which explanations should Dunia include in theirfinal paper?
A. 1 and 2 B. 1, 3, and 4
C. 2, 3, and 4 D. 3 and 4
70. Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a typeof photosynthesis. A plant using CAM takes incarbon dioxide (CO2) at nighttime, when it iscooler. The plant changes the CO2 into an acid.During the daytime, the plant changes the acidinto carbohydrates, without losing water to thewarm air.
In which environment are such plants best adaptedfor survival?
A. Low-altitude, because the air pressure isgreater closer to sea level
B. Desert, because plants living in the deserthave little water available
C. High-altitude, because the night air is coolerin alpine zones of mountains
D. Aquatic, because plants living in water needmore carbohydrates to avoid drowning
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71. Ospreys are a type of bird that nests near a bodyof water. These birds have adapted to hunt thefish living in the water of the environment.
Which adaptations have allowed ospreys to survivein their environment?
A. • Short wings for gliding over water
• Long legs for reaching into the water
• Hollow, lightweight bones that allow forflying
B. • Large eyes that provide keen vision
• Webbed feet for quick movement in water
• Pivotal head that allows for quick view inall directions
C. • Thick, oily feathers for water resistance
• Strong feet and sharp claws for graspingfish
• Strong, muscular legs for carrying the fishback to land
D. • Straight, sharply pointed beak for graspingprey
• Large ears for hearing movements of fishin water
• Long, sleek feathers that allow for divinginto water
72. Greg is studying a grassland system. His datashow that the area experiences a short droughtevery year. During this drought, the amount ofvegetation is reduced, and little water is available.
Which adaptations provide an organism with thegreatest chance for surviving the drought?
A. • Long tongue for catching insects
• Able to camouflage to avoid predators
B. • Thick, white fur that reflects heat from thesun
• Able to hibernate for long period of time
C. • Long neck to reach vegetation in tall trees
• Able to survive long periods without water
D. • Horns for defense when competing forvegetation
• Able to run away from predators quickly
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73. Jesse is studying the red mangrove trees in acoastline environment. The following illustrationshows the structure of a red mangrove.
Jesse’s data indicate that the salt content in thewater on this coastline is increasing. Which of thefollowing adaptations allows the red mangrove tosurvive in this coastline environment?
A. Flowers that attract insects for pollination,causing genetic variation in offspring
B. Large leaves that allow for oxygen and gasexchange from the air instead of the sand
C. Roots with a filtration system that allowswater to enter but keeps out the larger saltmolecules
D. Roots that prop the tree above the sand,giving it support so it can withstand the forceof ocean tides
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74. Which table describes adaptations that allow organisms to survive in a desert environment?
A. B.
C. D.
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75. A light-colored insect lives on trees in a forest.The bark of the trees appeared white because oflight-colored lichen that also lived on the tree.Disease destroyed the lichen. The tree bark is nowdark-colored.
How will this environmental change affect thenumber of light-colored insects?
A. The number of insects will decrease because,with the lichen gone, the insects will have noother source of food.
B. The number of insects will decrease becausepredators will see the light-colored insects onthe dark bark more easily.
C. The number of insects will increase because,with the lichen gone, the insects will nolonger have to compete with the lichen forspace.
D. The number of insects will increase becausethe insect predators that also eat the diseasedlichen will become ill and decrease in number.
76. The spotted cuscus lives in Australia’s tropicalrainforest region. This mammal is primarily activeat night and feeds on fruit and leaves. Which ofthe following traits would be found in the spottedcuscus?
A. Short tail B. Broad feet
C. Large eyes D. Sharp teeth
77. Animals like the kangaroo rat have the ability toobtain water through metabolism of food. Thisadaptation helps the kangaroo rat survive in whichbiome?
A. Desert B. Grassland
C. Deciduous forest D. Tropical rainforest
78. The following shows a species of Hawaiianhoneycreeper and the flowers on which it feeds.
The flower shape allows the bird to aid whichprocess required for plant survival?
A. Mitosis B. Photosynthesis
C. Pollination D. Transpiration
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79. Which of the following terms describes traits orcharacteristics that promote an organism’s survivalin a given environment?
A. Population variability
B. Allele frequency
C. Generation gaps
D. Behavioral adaptations
80. Eland are large herbivores with loose skin underthe throat and neck. This patch of loose skinaids in lowering the body temperature whentemperatures are high. Eland are able to run atspeeds over 40 miles per hour. They run longdistances in their open environment. Eland live inlarge herds.
Eland
In which of the following biomes would theadaptations of the eland have the greatest survivalbenefit?
A. The taiga, due to its plentiful vegetation forherbivores
B. The grassland, because of its warm openfields for grazing
C. The desert, due to its high temperatures andempty plains for running fast
D. The tundra, because of the treeless openspaces for ease in running long distances
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81. The graph below is a climatogram of a particularbiome.
Which adaptation would be seen in animals in thisbiome?
A. Long thin bodies
B. Strong thick hooves
C. Thick body fat layers
D. Dark colored feathers
82. The diagram shows the three levels of sagebrushplant roots.
Which statement describes the root adaptation ofthe sagebrush plant in its biome?
A. The roots help stabilize the plant in the taiga.
B. The roots access frozen, nutrient-rich soil inthe tundra.
C. The roots access underground water sourcesin the desert.
D. The roots help the plant compete for watersources in the tropical rainforest.
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83. How do small, narrow leaves help plants survivein hot, dry environments?
A. The leaves reduce water loss of the plants.
B. The leaves protect the plants from consumers.
C. The leaves absorb more sunlight for theplants.
D. The leaves increase the reproduction rate ofthe plants.
84. The graph below is a climatogram of a particularbiome.
Which adaptation would be seen in animals in thisbiome?
A. Long thin bodies
B. Strong thick hooves
C. Thick body fat layers
D. Dark colored feathers
85. What function is served by plant adaptations suchas stinging hairs, throns, and briars?
A. reproduction B. photosynthesis
C. protection D. disease prevention
86. How have desert plants adapted to theirenvironment?
A. by limiting the use of sunlight
B. by storing water
C. by distributing certain nutrients
D. by releasing water
87. Variety within a species is most likely to resultfrom which situation?
A. severe weather conditions that might occur,such as hurricanes or blizzards
B. adaptation to local environmentalcharacteristics by isolated populations of thespecies
C. the extinction of competing species over abroad range of habitats
D. sex-specific coloring differences
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88. Which statement best describes most of the speciesthat have lived on Earth?
A. Their habitats were located in the desert.
B. They still exist on Earth in their originalforms.
C. They are no longer living on Earth.
89. During winter, chipmunks sleep for long periodsof time, so they do not need a constant supply offood. Which best describes this adaptation?
A. structural B. behavioral
C. reproductive
90. A population of organisms has adapted so thatthe organisms are better able to survive in theirenvironment. What will most likely happen to thepopulation of organisms?
A. It will increase.
B. It will decrease.
C. It will stay the same.
91. Scientists think that the first forms of life on Earthwere anaerobic. Which most supports this theory?
A. The ozone layer of early Earth was very thin.
B. The temperatures of early Earth were warmerthan they are today.
C. The atmosphere of early Earth contained verylittle oxygen.
92. Which statement best describes natural selection?
A. Living organisms develop from other livingthings.
B. Acquired characteristics are inherited fromparent to offspring.
C. Organisms adapted to their environment cansurvive and pass traits to offspring.
93. How does a reptile know when to stop lying inthe sun?
A. It senses that its body is cold.
B. It senses that its body is hot.
C. It sees the bright sun in the sky.
D. It sees the sun covered by clouds.
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94. Two rabbits live in the same forest. One rabbit hasa thin fur coat in the summer and grows a thickerfur coat during the winter. The other rabbit hasa thin fur coat year-round. Which best describeswhat could happen during a cold winter?
A. Both rabbits could grow thin fur coats tosurvive the cold weather.
B. Both rabbits could shed their fur coats tosurvive the cold weather.
C. The rabbit with the thick fur coat could havea better chance of surviving the cold weather.
D. The rabbit with the thin fur coat could have abetter chance of surviving the cold weather.
95. A plant is placed on a windowsill facing the sun.After a week, the plant is rotated away from thesun. How will the plant most likely respond?
A. The plant will bend toward the window,because the sun is a positive stimulus.
B. The plant will bend away from the window,because the sun is a positive stimulus.
C. The plant will bend toward the window,because the sun is a negative stimulus.
D. The plant will bend away from the window,because the sun is a negative stimulus.
96.
Blue crabs can be found in the coastal waters ofNew Jersey. Which of these explains why thecrab’s outer shell helps it survive in its habitat?
A. The shell keeps the crab warm.
B. The shell helps the crab catch food.
C. The shell protects the crab from predators.
D. The shell allows the crab to get oxygen.
97. The environment of a particular species of rabbitis becoming colder over time. Rabbits with whichof the following traits will best be able to surviveand reproduce?
A. shorter legs B. thicker fur
C. longer ears D. longer whiskers
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98. A forest of trees with white bark is home to aspecies of gray moth and to birds which prey onthem. Pollution made the bark of the trees goblack. Several years later most of the moths foundhad wings that were
A. shorter. B. longer.
C. lighter. D. darker.
99. Why do the faster-running deer tend to be foundmore frequently in a deer population?
A. Slow-running deer reproduce more slowly.
B. Slow-running deer are unable to compete forfood.
C. Fast-running deer have more fawns per doe.
D. Fast-running deer are able to escape predators.
100. Which bird’s bill is best for collecting nectar fromplants?
A.
B.
C.
D.
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101. Which difference would most likely give certainindividuals in a population an advantage tosurvive and reproduce over other individuals in theenvironment where they live?
A. Certain jackrabbits that move slower thanmost other jackrabbits would be chased lessby predators.
B. Certain mountain lions with greater speedthan most other mountain lions would havean easier time catching prey.
C. Certain bighorn sheep that are smaller thanmost other bighorn sheep would be moredifficult for predators to see.
D. Certain desert tortoises with front claws thatare more webbed than most other deserttortoises’ claws would be able to swim betterin lakes.
102. Killer whales inhabit all the oceans in the world.Which adaptation most directly helps killer whalesmaintain their body temperatures in arctic marineenvironments?
A. light and dark skin coloration
B. ability to swim at fast speeds
C. keen eyesight for hunting prey
D. thick layer of fat beneath the skin
103. If a species of insect lacks the variations neededto adapt to a changing environment, it will mostlikely
A. acquire them through evolution.
B. evolve into a lower form.
C. become extinct.
D. evolve into a higher form.
104.
The owl butterfly has patterns on its wings thatlook like large eyes. How does this help thebutterfly survive?
A. It helps the butterfly fly faster.
B. It helps the butterfly see better.
C. It helps the butterfly scare enemies.
D. It helps the butterfly absorb sunlight.
page 37 Predicting An Organism’s Ability to Adapt
105. Use the following information to answer thefollowing question(s).
The picture shows a pond ecosystem. Many plantsand animals live in and around the pond.
In the winter, the pond starts to freeze. The ducksleave the pond. They migrate to warmer climates.
Which statement explains one reason why ducksmigrate?
A. The ducks have too many enemies.
B. The ducks have difficulty finding food.
C. The ducks have to lay eggs near water.
D. The ducks have too few places to hibernate.
106. Which seed has structures that allow animals totransport the seed on their fur?
A. B.
C. D.
107. In which environment is white fur color anadvantage for survival?
A. desert B. grassland
C. arctic tundra D. temperate forest
page 38 Predicting An Organism’s Ability to Adapt
108. Use the following pictures to answer the question.
The reproductive success of an organism dependsin part on the ability of the organism to survive.
How does the physical appearance of theseorganisms help them survive?
A. Their physical appearance helps them find ahabitat.
B. Their physical appearance helps them resistparasites.
C. Their physical appearance helps them avoidpredators.
D. Their physical appearance helps them defenda territory.
page 39 Predicting An Organism’s Ability to Adapt
A group of students is working on a project to identify and classify different types of animals. Each student examinedthe characteristics of a single type of animal. The students then compiled a table of some traits that could be useful forclassification of the animals (see the table below).
Skeletontype
Adult appendages Temperatureregulation
Adultrespiration
Fertilization
Bony Fish bone unpaired dorsal fins,paired ventral fins
cold-blooded gills external
Amphibians bone most adults–2 pairsof legs
cold-blooded usuallylungs
usuallyexternal
Reptiles bone 2 pairs of legs (exceptsnakes)
cold-blooded lungs internal
Birds bone 1 pair of wings, 1 pairof legs
warm-blooded
lungs internal
Mammals bone 2 pairs of legs or1 pair of legs and 1
pair of arms
warm-blooded
lungs internal
The students must now develop flowchart classification schemes to make it easier to classify animals. Use theinformation in the table to answer the following questions.
page 40 Predicting An Organism’s Ability to Adapt
109. Which of the following characteristics ofamphibians represents an adaptation to a landenvironment?
A. external fertilization
B. cold-blooded
C. bony skeleton
D. lungs of adult forms
110. Animals have adaptations that help them insurvival. One example of this is the giraffe’s longneck. What primary purpose does this adaptationserve?
A. Protection from heat
B. Gathering of food
C. Protection from predators
D. Increased speed
111. Use the pictures below to answer the followingquestion.
A hover fly looks like a honey bee. Whichstatement best explains how this adaptation helpsthe hover fly survive?
A. Looking like a honey bee keeps other animalsaway from the hover fly’s food.
B. Looking like a honey bee allows the hover flyto collect more pollen.
C. Looking like a honey bee allows the hover flyto blend with its environment.
D. Looking like a honey bee keeps somepredators from trying to eat the hover fly.
112. Which adaptation of the American bullfrog helpsit hide in grass?
A. long and sticky tongue
B. over 6 inches in size
C. brown and green color
D. large eyes on top of head
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113. A scientist observed two populations of birds ofthe same species. One population lives in a warmclimate, and the other population lives in a coldclimate. The birds in the two populations lookvery different. The birds in the cold climate arelarger than the birds in the warm climate and havesmaller wingspans. Which statement explains whythese two populations have different adaptations?
A. Birds in warm climates fly more often thanbirds in cold climates.
B. Birds in warm climates eat more food thanbirds in cold climates.
C. Birds in cold climates need to grow moreslowly than birds in warm climates.
D. Birds in cold climates need to conserve morebody heat than birds in warm climates.
114. Use the picture below to answer the question.
How is this fish adapted for weedy areas infreshwater lakes?
A. The upper fin of the fish looks like waves ofwater.
B. The lower fins of the fish look like the legsof a turtle.
C. The stripes of the fish look like plants in thewater.
D. The front of the fish looks like the surface ofa rock.
115. Use the table below to answer the followingquestion.
This table shows changes in the occurrence ofdifferent shell colors in a theoretical populationof insects over a four-year period. How coulddifferential reproduction explain the changes in theinsects’ shell color over the four-year period?
A. Changing circumstances made brown-shelledinsects more attractive to potential mates.
B. Chemical changes in the insects’ shells madebrown-shelled insects reproduce more rapidly.
C. Chemical changes in the insects’ DNA madebrown-shelled insects reproduce at a higherrate.
D. Changing circumstances made brown-shelledinsects less likely to survive to reproductiveage.
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116. A scientist discovers several varieties of cricketsliving in different habitats on an island. Thecrickets were similar except for their colors. Onthe north side, most of the crickets were green.On the east side, most of the crickets were black.On the south side, most of the crickets were lightbrown.
Which statement best explains why the cricketsvaried in color?
A. Crickets moved to different habitats on theisland according to their color.
B. Crickets intentionally changed their colors toblend in with their habitat.
C. Crickets select mates of different colors inorder to have different-colored offspring.
D. Crickets of certain colors were more likely tosurvive and reproduce in different habitats.
117. Which physical characteristic do some organismshave that helps them survive in the Arctic?
A. growing tall to hide in trees
B. changing fur color to hide from predators
C. developing large paws to protect themselvesfrom the wind
D. producing shallow root systems to protectthemselves from the cold air
118. The drawing shows the front feet of an animal.
Which activity does this animal most likely dovery well?
A. flying B. digging
C. jumping D. swimming
119. A research scientist repeatedly observes a birdavoiding a specific butterfly species even though iteats other types of butterflies. Which statementmost likely explains the behavior of the bird?
A. The behavior is a random act.
B. The behavior is the result of a geneticmutation.
C. The behavior is inherited from the bird’sparents.
D. The behavior is learned over the lifetime ofthe bird.
page 43 Predicting An Organism’s Ability to Adapt
120. Which action is most likely a learned behavior?
A. A bird builds a nest.
B. A spider spins a web.
C. A lion cub practices its hunting skills.
D. An earthworm moves away from bright light.
121. Which of these is an example of an animal’sinstinctive behavior?
A. a goose flying south in the fall
B. a dog sitting up to beg for food
C. a seal balancing a ball on its nose
D. a parrot repeating the words it hears
122. Killer whales inhabit all the oceans in the world.Which adaptation most directly helps killer whalesmaintain their body temperatures in arctic marineenvironments?
A. light and dark skin coloration
B. ability to swim at fast speeds
C. keen eyesight for hunting prey
D. thick layer of fat beneath the skin
page 44 Predicting An Organism’s Ability to Adapt
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